Losing her Compassion

Korashana had witnessed the competitions between Windey and Cyn over the years but never had Cyn escalated like this. Normally, Windey existed, Cyn said something snippy, and they'd leave it there. This time, Windey snipped back and Cyn lashed out.

Remembering it all, the pain not just from watching the fight but feeling it. Windey's hurt turned fury, while the dysfunction Cyn faced nightly at home caused her to seek control in any way she could. It all sat like a boulder on Korashana's chest, making it difficult to breathe.

I can't stay here.

And with that thought, Korashana bolted away from the school and through the woods.

I want them to pay for what they did to Windey. I know Cyn is hurting, too, but I wish I didn't care. I need to do something about this!

Roots and branches reached for Korashana's sleeves and skirt hems as she tore through the forest. Her lungs burned, her head began to feel light and foggy but she kept running.

Through her blurry vision, Korashana saw a small opening that she didn't recognize. The brief distraction of piqued curiosity was enough to bring her breath back into her body. The newfound silence in the woods made her realize she had been screaming as she peeled through the forest.

The small opening approached faster than she expected, almost as if it was coming to her. She stumbled over a root and fell, sprawling across the soft vibrant grass. In that moment, the world felt quiet. An invisible rain of peace washed over her, prickling her skin. A heaviness fell upon her eyelids until Korashana fell asleep.

---

Her dreams were stilted and choppy. She had seen a figure that wasn't exactly an elf but something beyond. They conversed about something... She had felt so many things earlier today, but now, it was nothing. Emptiness. A void.

She knew Windey was hurting and that couldn't stand, but why couldn't it stand? It must have been because friends protect each other. Friendship, loyalty.
 
But why was she worried about Cyn? Sure, her home life wasn't that great but she messed with her friend. Cyn would pay.

---

Initially, no one noticed the changes in Korashana and everyone assumed it was teenage angst. But something happened in that clearing. A deal between child and fey. A deal that ultimately removed Korashana's compassion completely.